nasir al-wuhayshi, once the personal secretary to osama bin laden, runs the yemen based branch of al qaeda that has proven to be the most aggressive in plotting against the u.s. bound airplanes with bombs hidden inside underwear and computer printers. al qaeda in the arabian peninsula has been battered by drone strikes. deputy commander saed al-shihri was killed earlier this year. but counterterrorism officials warn al qaeda in the arabian peninsula remains dangerous and capable of inflicting serious damage. while u.s. officials were stunned that veteran al qaeda leaders broke operational security by openly discussing possible plots, the intelligence remains incomplete. analysts who worked throughout we weekend still can't say where, when, or how an attack may be carried out. so the u.s. has been forced into a blanket defense. across north africa and the middle east 19 u.s. diplomatic missions will remain closed through saturday. and while there is no indication that terrorists are targeting the u.s. mainland, security is being tightened around new york city landmarks and in some of